Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is stressing safety programs aimed at catching dangerous drivers during the Labor Day weekend. Sobriety and driver license checkpoints are planned across the state. These efforts are among the aggressive enforcement tactics that the THP has executed throughout the summer months.

"Keeping our highways safe is a top priority, especially during the heavily traveled holiday weekends," said Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips. "We are committed to reducing crashes, related injuries and fatalities."

"THP will increase patrols by putting all available Troopers, including administrative personnel, on the road this holiday weekend," says Colonel Lynn Pitts, Commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. "We'll be looking for any driver whose actions threaten safe travel."

THP continues its "Stay Alive in '05" campaign during the Labor Day holiday weekend. This campaign is part of an effort to reduce overall traffic fatalities in Tennessee by 10 percent by 2009. The THP is also taking part in "100 Days of Summer Heat," which stresses seat belt usage and the proper restraint of child passengers.

During the Labor Day weekend in 2004, 12 people died in 11 fatal crashes. Five of the fatalities (42%) involved alcohol. Seven of the victims were occupants of vehicles. Six of them (86%) were not wearing safety restraints. Three motorcyclists, one ATV rider and a pedestrian were also killed. "Wearing safety restraints and protective equipment saves lives," Pitts said. "Never operate any type of vehicle if you've been drinking. You're likely to kill yourself and others by combining drinking with driving.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.